Wetherholt rookie season with Cardinals

[Jatalk]

This whole discussion just shows how desperate we are for a star player. Let’s see if he makes opening day roster.

[DewittDaman11]

Excited to see all the agreement on JJ's on base ability, and wonder if all agree just starting him at leadoff is the thing to do. I think the kids a player, a competitor and winning ballplayer, and I personally think he will thrive being thrown right into the fire. Follow him in the lineup with Herrera and Burleson, and see what happens. Bottom line, it's gonna be his team, IMO, and if he can get all the other hitters to hit for each other, it will be the "start" of a special team.

Start adding in hitters like Baez, Bernal in late 2026, and Ortiz and possibly Rodriguez by 2027, and the Cardinals are back, baby!

Obviously by the numbers and all the write ups I knew baez was much improved...but last night I watched some of his highlights...man he got quiet at the plate...then he just explodes on the ball...good size and speed...he's got a chance to be a really good one...

I also feel it will be important to clear as many veterans off the roster as possible, as to not allow Oli the excuse of playing vets/contracts over prospect talent. A filler player on 1 year contracts here or there is no big deal, but otherwise, let our prospects take the team leadership, and run with it. Ironically, Baez can really swipem' for a big man.

[DewittDaman11]

Excited to see all the agreement on JJ's on base ability, and wonder if all agree just starting him at leadoff is the thing to do. I think the kids a player, a competitor and winning ballplayer, and I personally think he will thrive being thrown right into the fire. Follow him in the lineup with Herrera and Burleson, and see what happens. Bottom line, it's gonna be his team, IMO, and if he can get all the other hitters to hit for each other, it will be the "start" of a special team.

Start adding in hitters like Baez, Bernal in late 2026, and Ortiz and possibly Rodriguez by 2027, and the Cardinals are back, baby!

I'd stick him at leadoff on Day 1.
Oli will hit him 7th or 8th, trying to protect him. FYI Oli, your lineup has no protection for him!

If Oli does that, he should be fired on the spot.

[Cardinals4Life]

Excited to see all the agreement on JJ's on base ability, and wonder if all agree just starting him at leadoff is the thing to do. I think the kids a player, a competitor and winning ballplayer, and I personally think he will thrive being thrown right into the fire. Follow him in the lineup with Herrera and Burleson, and see what happens. Bottom line, it's gonna be his team, IMO, and if he can get all the other hitters to hit for each other, it will be the "start" of a special team.

Start adding in hitters like Baez, Bernal in late 2026, and Ortiz and possibly Rodriguez by 2027, and the Cardinals are back, baby!

I'd stick him at leadoff on Day 1.
Oli will hit him 7th or 8th, trying to protect him. FYI Oli, your lineup has no protection for him!

If Oli does that, he should be fired on the spot.

Yes and he also should have been fired years ago.

[DewittDaman11]

Excited to see all the agreement on JJ's on base ability, and wonder if all agree just starting him at leadoff is the thing to do. I think the kids a player, a competitor and winning ballplayer, and I personally think he will thrive being thrown right into the fire. Follow him in the lineup with Herrera and Burleson, and see what happens. Bottom line, it's gonna be his team, IMO, and if he can get all the other hitters to hit for each other, it will be the "start" of a special team.

Start adding in hitters like Baez, Bernal in late 2026, and Ortiz and possibly Rodriguez by 2027, and the Cardinals are back, baby!

I'd stick him at leadoff on Day 1.
Oli will hit him 7th or 8th, trying to protect him. FYI Oli, your lineup has no protection for him!

If Oli does that, he should be fired on the spot.

Yes and he also should have been fired years ago.

No argument from me, although, while Mo was in charge, his replacement could have been worse. I'll assume the new regime is biding it's time, and looking to replace him when the team has filled out a bit more. Having said that, I am worried the DeWitt's control issues may stand in the way of the best choices. Really, really hope I'm wrong about that.

[cardinalsfever44]

If we somehow were to keep Donny, I'd like to see a lineup like the following:

1. Donovan
2. Wetherholt
3. Winn
4. Herrera
5. Burleson
6. Gorman
7. Nootbaar
8. Walker
9. Scott II

[Cardinals4Life]

If we somehow were to keep Donny, I'd like to see a lineup like the following:

1. Donovan
2. Wetherholt
3. Winn
4. Herrera
5. Burleson
6. Gorman
7. Nootbaar
8. Walker
9. Scott II

Nah, Oli has to go L-R-L. Lol

It would be Noot, Herrera, Donny, Winn, Burleson, Walker, Gorman, Wetherholt, Scott II or some (bleep) like that! Lol

[Cardinals1964]

If Wetherholt finishes his rookie season hitting. 275, it will be considered a successful year. Im hoping for 25 doubles, 15 home runs, and 65 rbi.

I would’nt guess on RBi’s, but my prediction would be .280 and 15 home runs. It’s pathetic that my expectations are so low. Better than Donovan though and some people think he’s the Cardinals show piece.

[Cardinals1964]

Excited to see all the agreement on JJ's on base ability, and wonder if all agree just starting him at leadoff is the thing to do. I think the kids a player, a competitor and winning ballplayer, and I personally think he will thrive being thrown right into the fire. Follow him in the lineup with Herrera and Burleson, and see what happens. Bottom line, it's gonna be his team, IMO, and if he can get all the other hitters to hit for each other, it will be the "start" of a special team.

Start adding in hitters like Baez, Bernal in late 2026, and Ortiz and possibly Rodriguez by 2027, and the Cardinals are back, baby!

Obviously by the numbers and all the write ups I knew baez was much improved...but last night I watched some of his highlights...man he got quiet at the plate...then he just explodes on the ball...good size and speed...he's got a chance to be a really good one...

I also feel it will be important to clear as many veterans off the roster as possible, as to not allow Oli the excuse of playing vets/contracts over prospect talent. A filler player on 1 year contracts here or there is no big deal, but otherwise, let our prospects take the team leadership, and run with it. Ironically, Baez can really swipem' for a big man.

I agree. That’s why it confuses me that people think they need a Scherzer or Quintana or Bader. That ain’t going to help.

[Cardinals1964]

If we somehow were to keep Donny, I'd like to see a lineup like the following:

1. Donovan
2. Wetherholt
3. Winn
4. Herrera
5. Burleson
6. Gorman
7. Nootbaar
8. Walker
9. Scott II

Why do you want to keep a .280, 10hr guy so bad?

[JuanAgosto]

If Wetherholt finishes his rookie season hitting. 275, it will be considered a successful year. Im hoping for 25 doubles, 15 home runs, and 65 rbi.

I would’nt guess on RBi’s, but my prediction would be .280 and 15 home runs. It’s pathetic that my expectations are so low. Better than Donovan though and some people think he’s the Cardinals show piece.

Im afraid people's expectations on the return for Donovan won't be met.

[Ozziesfan41]

JJ is replacing Donovan I don’t know if he will beat him in batting average and on base percentage but he will definitely surpass him in runs scored 64 and rbi 50 probably home runs 10 and almost
Certainly he will be better defensively at second

[Cardinals1964]

If Wetherholt finishes his rookie season hitting. 275, it will be considered a successful year. Im hoping for 25 doubles, 15 home runs, and 65 rbi.

I would’nt guess on RBi’s, but my prediction would be .280 and 15 home runs. It’s pathetic that my expectations are so low. Better than Donovan though and some people think he’s the Cardinals show piece.

Im afraid people's expectations on the return for Donovan won't be met.

People talking about Andy Pages from LA. Are you kidding me? Everyone always thinks their guy is more valuable than they are. But but but, a lot of teams are interested in Donovan. Yea, as a utility player. How bad are the Cardinals that Donovan is indispensable?

[Cardinals1964]

JJ is replacing Donovan I don’t know if he will beat him in batting average and on base percentage but he will definitely surpass him in runs scored 64 and rbi 50 probably home runs 10 and almost
Certainly he will be better defensively at second

I don’t judge a player on runs scored or rbi. That’s a team effort. I’ll bet JJ hits more than 10 hrs. Steals more bases. Hits for average

[Ozziesfan41]

JJ is replacing Donovan I don’t know if he will beat him in batting average and on base percentage but he will definitely surpass him in runs scored 64 and rbi 50 probably home runs 10 and almost
Certainly he will be better defensively at second

I don’t judge a player on runs scored or rbi. That’s a team effort. I’ll bet JJ hits more than 10 hrs. Steals more bases. Hits for average

You can judge some on runs scored JJ is a lot faster than Donovan so he will naturally score more runs they will send him more often than they would Donovan on close plays he would naturally be able to score more than Donovan would same with rbi a guy with more pop would usually drive in more runs than a guy with less pop I think JJ will hit for more power than Donovan did so he will probably drive in more runs than 50. A lot will depend on health I think if healthy JJ definitely passes Donovan’s numbers from last season but just my opinion

[An Old Friend]

.280/.350/.450

Hoping for a rookie year similar to Alex Bregman’s first full year in the majors.